Anti-theft auto switch

ABSTRACT

A switch for installation in an automotive vehicle, the switch preventing theft of the automobile by not allowing the engine to be started unless an exact key is used to trip a latch that holds the fuel valve in an open position, the switch including means to receive either a long key for normal use by a motorist, or a short key that can be surrendered to a parking attendant, the short key allowing the engine to be started so the vehicle can travel on what little fuel is in the carburator but which does not open the fuel valve for a continuous engine operation.

United States Patent Etheridge [151 3,681,544 [451 Aug. 1,1972

[54] ANTI-THEFT AUTO SWITCH 72 Inventor: J. Ray Etheridge, Rt. 3, Box235,

Wilson, NC. 27893 221 Filed: April 13, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 133,500

[52] U.S. Cl. ..200/44, 70/336, 307/10 AT [51] Int. Cl. ..H0lh 27/00[58] Field of Search ..70/336, 337; 200/42, 44;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,174,003 3/1965 Armstrong..200/44 3,174,502 3/1965 Howarthetal. ..200/44X Primary Examiner-HermanJ. Hohauser 5 7] ABSTRACT A switch for installation in an automotivevehicle, the switch preventing theft of the automobile by not allowingthe engine to be started unless an exact key is used to trip a latchthat holds the fuel valve in an open position, the switch includingmeans to receive either along key for normal use by a motorist, or ashort key that can be surrendered to a parking attendant, the short keyallowing the engine to be started so the vehicle can travel on whatlittle fuel is in the carburator but which does not open the fuel valvefor a continuous engine operation.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUMJB 1 m2 INVENTOR, d AAY ETHER/DGEFIG. 4

ANTI-THEFT AUTO SWITCH This invention relates generally to automotivevehicles.

It is generally well known that many automotive vehicles are stolen eachyear because the keys of the vehicle get into the hands of prospectivethieves. It is also well known that when a motorist parks his vehicle ina public garage, he is obliged to leave his keys with the attendant,such keys thus being subject getting into the hands of car thieves. Thissituation is of course objectionable and therefore in want ofimprovement.

Accordingly it is a principal object of the present invention to providean anti-theft auto switch for installation in automotive vehicles andwhich will deter the theft of an automotive vehicle if the prospectivethief does not have a proper operating ignition key.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theftautoswitch which accordingly is operative either by a regular key for normaluse of the vehicle by the motorist, or by a special key which willpermit the vehicle to run for only a short distance of possibly only oneor two hundred feet.

Accordingly it is another object of the present invention to provide ananti-theft auto switch wherein a special key is thus available forpresentation to a parking attendant at a garage or the like, so that themotorist is confident that his vehicle if needed to be shunted about theparking lot or garage by the attendant cannot be run for more than a fewhundred feet, thus being assured that the vehicle cannot be stolen.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an anti-theft autoswitch which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged inconstruction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the anti-theft auto switch unit shown partlybroken away, and showing the key in phantom lines inserted,

FIG. 2 is a elevation view thereof shown partly broken away and incross-section; the figure illustrating the key extended into the latch,the latch engaging the gas flow bar;

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of a long key,

FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of a short key, and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electric circuit operated by thekey.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10represents an anti-theft auto switch according to the present inventionwherein there is a metal box '11. Within the metal box 11 there is aswitch 12 which is adaptable for having either a long key 13 or a shortkey 14 inserted thereinto.

Within the metal box 11 there is also located a latch 15 which engages agas flow bar 16. There is also a fuel valve 17 which at one end isconnected to a gasoline supply like 18 and which at its other end isconnected to a gas line 19 leading to the carburator.

Within the metal box 11 there is also located a solonoid 20 and aslinger 21.

As shown in the electrical circuit at 22 in FIG. 4, the upper portionthereof represents a normal ignition circuitry which includes a starter,coil relay, lights and radio energizing components 23. The solonoid 20is howni asearteirci so atathifca t bridge the invgntion by r id g ingtill normal igni ti n circuit as shown at 23.

In operative use, the motorist can leave the short key 14 with a parkinglot attendant which would allow the attendant to start the automobileand burn the fuel that is left in the carburator which normally would beenough to drive the vehicle a short distance about the parking lot whileit is shunted about. The modified key 13 comprising the regular key iskept by the motorist within his own pocket.

In operative use, the modified key 13 is passed through the ignitionswitch 12 and inserted into the latch 15. When the ignition switch isturned on to start, the start position of the key excites the solonoid20 which pulls the slinger 21, thus opening the fuel valve 17 and thusallow fuel to pass from line 18 through the fuel valve 17 into the line19 toward the carburator. When the engine starts, the key is releasedshutting off the current to the solonoid, the latch falling into a notch25 on the slinger 21 thus holding the valve 17 open. When the engine isshut off, the key then lifts the latch up causing the slinger which isspring loaded, to close the valve thus shutting off the fuel.

With this device, it would be almost impossible for anyone to start theengine without the exact key to trip the latch and hold the fuel valveopen.

What I now claim is:

1. In an anti-theft auto switch, the combination of a metal boxinstalled within an automotive vehicle, said metal box containing anignition switch, said ignition switch having means to receive either along key or a short key, one of said keys having means for maintainingthe engine of said automobile in a continued operative condition whilesolenoid other of said keys have means for said engine to run only arelatively short period of time, said metal box also containing a latchat a rear of said switch, said latch having means to be engaged by theend of said long key inserted through said switch, said latch engaging agas flow bar, said metal box also containing a fuel valve, one end ofsaid fuel valve being connected to an incoming gas line, the oppositeend of said fuel valve being connected to a gas line leading to acarborator of said automotive vehicle, a solonoid being contained withinsaid metal box, said solenoid slidably operating a slinger which at oneend selectively closes said fuel valve, said slinger having a transversenotch, said transverse notch being selectively engageable by said gasflow bar to arrest said slidable movement of said slinger. I

1. In an anti-theft auto switch, the combination of a metal box installed within an automotive vehicle, said metal box containing an ignition switch, said ignition switch having means to receive either a long key or a short key, one of said keys having means for maintaining the engine of said automobile in a continued operative condition while solenoid other of said keys have means for said engine to run only a relatively short period of time, said metal box also containing a latch at a rear of said switch, said latch having means to be engaged by the end of said long key inserted through said switch, said latch engaging a gas flow bar, said metal box also containing a fuel valve, one end of said fuel valve being connected to an incoming gas line, the opposite end of said fuel valve being connected to a gas line leading to a carborator of said automotive vehicle, a solonoid being contained within said metal box, said solenoid slidably operating a slinger which at one end selectively closes said fuel valve, said slinger having a transverse notch, said transverse notch being selectively engageable by said gas flow bar to arrest said slidable movement of said slinger. 